Good Afternoon (To all you all in the mountain time zone),
I just want to know what kind of things the Academy puts a lot of bulk in when applying. I know they like people who are involved in the community, diverse applicants, and academics but is there any specific examples they look for? Do they like CAP or the BSA when applying (so I can learn where to put the bulk of my work into) and do they look for a specific type of community involvement (volunteering at a shelter or at a fair)? What makes a candidate diverse? I think my background is pretty diverse, but I don't know if the Academy thinks the same way. This question is unrelated to applying kind of, but I want to build a relationship with my congressmen, but I don't know what to write to them. Any suggestions? Thanks and have an amazing weekend!

Research what is needed to make up your WCS (whole candidate score) & a review of USAFA's Class of 2022 profile should point you in the right direction. It's probably all listed on the Admissions website. Can't speak to initiating a relationship with your Congressmen but it isn't necessary for a nomination.

Why do you want to “build a relationship” with your congressman? Whatever your answer is, that’s what you should write to them about. Not saying he/she will show any interest or respond; they have busy jobs, as you know. But bottom line is, no one on this forum can advise you on what to say because you’re the only one who knows your motives.

(By the way, if you’re trying to “build a relationship” to up your chances of getting a nomination, I wouldn’t bother. That’s not how it works. If you want to get to know someone, make it the staffer who oversees the nomination process.)

Don't spend a minute worrying about relationships with your members of Congress. Instead:

Study for your next AP exam. Prepare for the SAT/ACT, dominate the tests, then take them again. Go to the gym. Run 6 minute or less miles. Lead your sports team, or your school. Earn your Eagle Scout, or get selected for Boys/Girls State...

I've said this multiple times on this forum, but don't throw away your present planning for your future. Put the bulk of your work into activities that you are passionate about. THAT'S what the Academy wants to see.

If you do things just for the sake of building your resume then 1) It will probably be pretty obvious you're just a resume chaser and 2) you won't be as motivated to really throw yourself into what you're doing and demonstrate leadership and drive within that activity.

You could check all the boxes and do all the right things and not get into USAFA. Maybe something turns up that medically disqualifies you, who knows. If that happens (and here's to hoping it won't) will you be happy with how you spent your time in high school? Did you enjoy it? Did you throw away even a single second on activities you didn't care about chasing a school? Time is valuable - use it doing things you enjoy and the rest will fall into place.

Thanks everyone for the amazing advice! I will try to do more activities about my passions. As for writing my congressmen, I just wanted to write to show them I was determined to get into the Academy, and how long I have been working.

You may attach/email a note to your MOC when you fill out the official documents s/he'll require when you make application. Also note: the chances of your MOC actually reading your note are three: fat, slim, none. They don't have a lot of time to be reading missives from high school students. Have a complaint? A compliment? A question? Write that letter. Your introduction will be on the form you fill out.

"Diversity" is a kind of gray area, and some categories of "diversity" are not what you might expect. African-American? Sure, sometimes. Homeschooler? yep, usually. Grew up on a yacht sailing the Med while excelling at fencing? OK, if you've got the grades.

You may attach/email a note to your MOC when you fill out the official documents s/he'll require when you make application. Also note: the chances of your MOC actually reading your note are three: fat, slim, none. They don't have a lot of time to be reading missives from high school students. Have a complaint? A compliment? A question? Write that letter. Your introduction will be on the form you fill out.

"Diversity" is a kind of gray area, and some categories of "diversity" are not what you might expect. African-American? Sure, sometimes. Homeschooler? yep, usually. Grew up on a yacht sailing the Med while excelling at fencing? OK, if you've got the grades.

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No, I am not a foreign member. I'm sorry it came off that way. Are you saying I should contact them with a comlaint, compliment, or a question or not ocntact them at all. Does diversity give me an advantage? (if the Academy deems I am diverse enough).

I was wondering if Colorado District 4 was competitive? I know that it is competitive because it is in colorado, but does anyone know how much?

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In what ways do you believe you are diverse? Also, it seems like the meaning of diversity changes year by year depending on what the needs of the Air Force are, but I really don't know. I would not spend time hoping that being diverse enough will help your chances at all.

I was wondering if Colorado District 4 was competitive? I know that it is competitive because it is in colorado, but does anyone know how much?

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If there’s one candidate — just one — in CO 4 with a better WCS than yours, then you should consider the district highly competitive. Unless you know for a fact that your WCS is higher than anyone else’s in the district, you should consider the district highly competitive.